This is an analysis and critique of an article sent to me by a friend: “ICYMI: Trump’s Top 25 Achievements: The List Every Conservative Should Know and Use” by Rod Martin. Rod Martin argues that Donald Trump has achieved more in approximately 18 months than any previous president accomplished in four years. He presents 25Continue reading "Trump’s Top 25 Achievements?"
Why would I want to visit Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan, often called the "Switzerland of Central Asia", draws travelers seeking dramatic landscapes, living nomadic traditions, and untamed mountain wilderness. With over 90% of its territory covered by rugged mountains, it is one of the world's premier destinations for alpine trekking, scenic photography, and cultural immersion. Beyond its wild geography, the country is remarkably welcoming:Continue reading "Why would I want to visit Kyrgyzstan?"
Let’s Look at iOS Options
Phone Size and Weight Comparison iPhone 18 ProiPhone 18 Pro MaxiPhone Duo closediPhone Duo openHeight5.91 in6.43 in4.64 in4.64 inWidth2.83 in3.07 in3.31 in6.48 inThickness0.34 in0.34 in0.44 in0.21 inWeight7.44 oz / 211 g8.78 oz / 249 g8.96 oz / 254 gsameDisplay6.3"6.9"5.4"7.6" Screen size is more important than the diagonalUsing Apple's pixel dimensions and measured rectangular diagonals, theContinue reading "Let’s Look at iOS Options"
DJI Drone Video Techniques
While this article focuses on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, many of the DJI drones have a similar set of capabilities. Here, DJI groups them mainly under QuickShots, MasterShots, FocusTrack, Hyperlapse, and Waypoints. 1. QuickShots: Automatic individual cinematic shotsPick a subject, choose the maneuver, and press Start. QuickShotWhat the drone doesBest useDronieFlies backward and upwardContinue reading "DJI Drone Video Techniques"
Why Do We Exist?
The Nine Realms of Universe that Make You Possible Book by astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi with Nils Johnson-Shelton, published in April 2026. Oluseyi’s central idea is that human existence becomes comprehensible when reality is viewed at several radically different scales. The laws governing quarks, people, stars, galaxies, and the universe appear very different, yet they areContinue reading "Why Do We Exist?"
Critique: Psychedelics align brain activity
Nature 656:936–947, 2026 "Psychedelics can profoundly alter consciousness by reorganizing brain connectivity, producing acute experiences that shape lasting psychological change, Psychedelic dynamics are commonly described as desynchronized or entropically disordered, yet the brain organization underlying self-dissolving and boundary-dissolving experiences that participants often report, and how context shapes that organization, remain unresolved. To address this, weContinue reading "Critique: Psychedelics align brain activity"
ND Filters in Antartica?
Taking a trip to Antartica in a few months with Johan Drone Adventures and did some research with the help of Claude on the need for and use of ND filters. Drone Video For drone video: Get an ND set. Antarctica is exactly where you'll need them. Smooth-looking video depends on keeping your shutter speed roughlyContinue reading "ND Filters in Antartica?"
The Universal Raw Photo Workflow
One Universal Workflow for Literally Any RAW Photo Editor from Andy Hutchinson (Thank you, Andy!) Universal RAW Workflow.pdf Stage 1: The Prep Demosaicing Lens correction Denoising Choosing profiles and film simulations Stage 2: Light White balance and tint Exposure and histogram balance Contrast Highlights and shadows recovery White and black point setting Curves adjustments StageContinue reading "The Universal Raw Photo Workflow"
When the Doctor Becomes Optional 😳
A Skeptical Read of the "AI-Alone Medicine" Argument https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2852952 There's a comfortable consensus in medicine about artificial intelligence: the machine assists, the physician decides. The AMA even rebranded it "augmented intelligence" to keep the human firmly in charge. A recent JAMA Viewpoint by Ezekiel Emanuel and colleagues sets out to demolish that consensus. Its claimContinue reading "When the Doctor Becomes Optional 😳"
Meshtastic Links
Some links to check out if you are interested in learning more about Meshtastic. Easy to use, cheap, open source method of communication when the grid goes down or there is no cell phone service. Official Meshtastic site: https://meshtastic.org Documentation: https://meshtastic.org/docs/introduction/ Cheap Meshtastic devices:SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E SenseCAP MeshTracker X1 (upgrade to T1000-E) Mac/iPhone/iPad/Apple Watch App:Continue reading "Meshtastic Links"
